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Motorcycles are an inexpensive, efficient, and fun mode of transportation. People choose to ride them for many reasons, and they safely transport thousands of people each day. However, since they lack a protective cage, riders are at an increased risk of an accident. That means that reliable construction is crucial since a defect can lead to an accident that results in serious injuries or fatalities. When a manufacturing defect leads to those injuries, the victim could have grounds for a claim against the manufacturer.
Anytime a motorcycle accident occurs, the risk of injuries is high and you may wonder about your next steps. If a motorcycle defect contributed to your injury, you could have a claim against the manufacturer—if you can prove that the defect caused your injuries. An attorney can help you understand more about motorcycle defects and recalls in Chicago.
Motorcycles may have fewer parts than cars or trucks, but there can still be a defect that causes an incident. Some of the most common and dangerous motorcycle defects include problems with the:
Frame issues may be the most dangerous of all potential defects. The frame is the motorcycle’s core—any defect in the frame can lead to severe safety risks. Frame defects can impact maneuverability and increase the risk of severe injury in an accident. They can even lead to accidents because of reduced maneuverability.
Fuel tank defects pose a fire hazard, which can create tremendous risks for the rider. If the fuel tank catches on fire while the motorcycle is in operation, it can lead to burns on the rider, as well as increasing the risk of a wreck.
Engine defects run the gamut of potential problems. They can make a vehicle stutter, impact acceleration, and at their worst, a defective engine can lead to total power loss. These sudden failures can cause riders to lose control, leading to wrecks.
Many people believe that brakes are the most essential part of any vehicle. If the motorcycle’s brakes fail, the rider may need to lay down the bike to avoid colliding with another vehicle. Any time a rider lays down their bike, they significantly increase their risk of injuries like road rash, broken bones, contusions, and even head injuries.
It can be complicated trying to determine whether an accident was the result of a motorcycle defect. Accident examiners, motorcycle mechanics, and other professionals may offer an opinion, and may also report motorcycle defects in Chicago in an effort to get a recall on those parts.
All motor vehicles in the United States are under the umbrella of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA is the federal agency responsible for vehicle safety. When it gets enough complaints about a vehicle having the same problem, it has the authority to issue a product recall.
A recall requires manufacturers to notify the consumers that a defect exists and to come up with a solution to correct the problem. However, manufacturers may not have an immediate solution. In some instances, they may not know how to fix the defect. In other instances, supply chain issues and manufacturing delays can create a gap between notice of the defect and the ability to cure the defect.
In an ideal world, a motorcycle rider would not ride their bike between getting notice of a defect and getting a chance to have it repaired. In the real world, many riders do not have that luxury. Recall notices do not pause payments or entitle owners to loaner vehicles, so finances may require riders to keep riding potentially dangerous vehicles.
Furthermore, while the manufacturer is supposed to remedy defects for free, consumers may encounter challenges getting those repairs. Manufacturers, dealers, or repair centers may attempt to avoid completing recall repairs by stating they need to complete other work in order to do the recall, attempting to charge for repairs. A consumer who struggles to get repairs for motorcycle defects and recalls in Chicago should consult one of our personal injury attorneys.